Escape the D'Arce choke

Before it’s locked

• Don’t dive for a deep underhook with your head left on the outside
• Keep your near elbow tight to your ribs when they snap your head down
• Fight the arm that threads under your neck and armpit before it connects

The main escape

1. Grab their choking wrist with your free hand before their hands lock
2. Stay on your side and face the mat; never lie flat on your back
3. Hook their leg with yours (quarter guard) so they can’t walk their hips in for the finish
4. Shrug the trapped shoulder down, strip the grip and come up to your knees or back to half guard

Escape roadmap

The seven stages of this escape. Work from the top: the earlier you act, the less you need the later stages.

1. 1
   Prevent

   • Keep your head inside when you underhook from bottom
   • Stay off your belly when they snap your head down
2. 2
   Defensive posture

   • Stay on your side and face the mat
   • Keep your trapped elbow close to your neck
3. 3
   Hand fight

   • Grab their choking wrist before the hands connect
   • Don’t let their hand reach their own bicep
4. 4
   Make space

   • Hook their leg so they can’t walk their hips in
   • Get to your knees with the angle that keeps the choke loose
5. 5
   Clear the structure

   • Shrug the trapped shoulder down and pull the arm free
   • Strip the grip once you’re on your knees
6. 6
   Late escape

   • Roll toward your trapped arm to ease the squeeze
   • Tap when the hands are locked and they’re walking their hips toward your head
7. 7
   Back to safety

   • Come up to your knees with your head free
   • Recover half guard or face them on your knees

Escape options

Drill it

My notes

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